Blues lovers
from throughout Ohio and West Virginia are gearing up for the 22nd
Annual River City Blues Festival.

With acts coming in from Chicago, Mississippi,
Tennessee and beyond, the two day festival is expected to draw hundreds into
downtown Marietta.

The annual
festival is organized by the Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society of the Mid-Ohio
Valley and will be held Friday night and Saturday at the historic Lafayette Hotel.
Featuring a variety of classic and contemporary blues, the festival brings to Marietta a
style of American roots music that’s usually hard to come by in Southeast Ohio.

“When we put
these shows together we want to highlight music that isn’t on the radio,” says
John Bolen, president of the Mid-Ohio Valley Blues, Jazz and Folk Music
Society. “This line-up is a sample of blues styles, there is something for
everyone. And the talent - it’s phenomenal.”

“Everybody knows
Daddy G, he’s a legend, he’s been around since the 50s’,” Bolen says. “And
Eddie Shaw and The Wolf Gang - they were Howlin’ Wolf’s original back-up band.
It’s going to be a fun show.”

Weekend passes
to all events are $70, or you can buy tickets per performance block; Friday
Evening, $25, Saturday Matinee, $25, and Saturday Evening, $30. Discount
pricing is available for members of the BJFM Society.

For additional
information about the River City Blues Festival or the BJFM Society please
contact John Bolen at (740) 376-0222 or the Marietta-Washington County Convention
and Visitors Bureau at (740) 373-5178.

Check out the
complete lineup, including a free performance on Saturday afternoon, at the
music society's website: bjfm.org